Healthcare Directory

2019 Medical & Dental Directory | 15 changing healthcare industry places a bigger emphasis on preventive care. As a result, Cape Fear Valley has begun using community paramedics to also conduct direct outreach clinical services (DOCS) stops in the community. These events, more commonly known as pop-up clinics, provide free healthcare screenings to the masses. The clinics typically last a day or less and are often accompanied by a large ambulance trailer equipped with health assessment rooms. People can take screening tests inside, learn their results, and then speak to a paramedic or other clinician about their results. lifelink Despite public perception, Cape Fear Valley has long offered critical care patient transport to and from other hospitals under the LifeLINK name. But the service fell under Cape Fear Valley EMS' larger service line because it used specialty ambulances. Staffed by critical care paramedics and nurses, the vehicles are intensive care units on wheels, able to transport patients quickly and safely to their destination. As impressive as they are, LifeLINK's new medical helicopter is an even more capable patient hauler. The sleek-looking Airbus H135 is a virtual representation of everything Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Healthcare stands for. It's fast, well equipped, and always ready for its next mission. Sporting twin Pratt & Whitney turbine engines, it can fly a crew of three and patient up to 173 mph, high above any burdensome delays of everyday street traffic. Cape Fear Valley has been airlifting critically ill and injured patients for more than 30 years. But the health system has never technically owned or operated its own helicopter service until now. That's because flying helicopters is a major investment in time and resources. The health system finally committed last year, because it wanted to use its own staff aboard flights. Flight crews determine what kind of treatment protocols and patient care standards are used while transporting patients. For the record, Med-Trans Air Medical Transport, a private helicopter transport company in Dallas, Texas, owns the new helicopter and leases it to the health system, taking some of the cost out of the venture. Brian Langston is LifeLINK Director. He says having a helicopter service allows Cape Fear Valley to extend its reach into communities already served. "Operating our own helicopter helps keep local patients local," he said, "which is our ultimate goal." The helicopter went into operation in early October, flying several trauma patients to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center the first week. Sharp-eyed observers might have noticed Cape Fear Valley corporate colors and logo adorning the aircraft, and then realized the health system has its own chopper now. That makes Pearce happy. "MIH means mobile," he said, while cracking a smile. "That includes helicopters, because we're not just driving patients to the hospital anymore." n The sleek-looking Airbus H135 is a virtual representation of everything Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Healthcare stands for. The department's paramedics have become a growing presence within the health system. Community paramedics also conduct direct outreach clinical services.

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